Associations of neuroinflammatory IL-6 and IL-8 with brain atrophy, memory decline, and core AD biomarkers-in cognitively unimpaired older adults

• Concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines -interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) - are increased with age and in Alzheimer's disease (AD). It is not clear whether concentrations of IL-6 and IL-8 in the central nervous system predict later brain and cognitive changes over time nor whether this relationship is mediated by core AD biomarkers. Here, 219 cognitively healthy older adults (62-91 years), with baseline cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) measures of IL-6 and IL-8 were followed over time - up to 9 years - with assessments that included cognitive function, structural magnetic resonance imaging, and CSF measurements of phosphorylated tau (p-tau) and amyloid-& beta; (A & beta;-42) concentrations (for a subsample). Higher baseline CSF IL-8 was associated with better memory performance over time in the context of lower levels of CSF p-tau and p-tau/A & beta;-42 ratio. Higher CSF IL-6 was related to less CSF p-tau changes over time. The results are in line with the hypothesis suggesting that an upregulation of IL-6 and IL-8 in the brain may play a neuroprotective role in cognitively healthy older adults with lower load of AD pathology.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Neurovetenskaper (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Neurosciences (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Cerebrospinal fluid

Interleukin-6

Interleukin-8

Longitudinal MRI

Cognitively unimpaired older adults

AD biomarkers

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)